Going Green: Six simple things you can do:

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

We've all heard about climate change, but here are some scary statistics. The United Nations says that 150,000 people are dying each year because the world is getting hotter. And it's not just people who are suffering; Greenpeace tell us that in 50 years one third of all land-based species could face extinction.

Here are six steps you can try at home.

Recycle as much as you can
Most local councils have a recycling scheme which means you can separate your rubbish into what can and can't be recycled. The most common things to recycle are glass (bottles and jars) and paper (newspaper, magazines, wrapping paper and packaging). Help your family to recycle by making a special poster to explain what can be recycled, or by making a special bin to put it in.

DONATE

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

Donate what you don't want
You might not want something anymore, but that doesn't mean someone else doesn't need it. Recycling centres collect clothes, furniture and computers and distribute them to people who need them. If you're sorting out your old toys, don't throw them in the bin; they'll just end up in a landfill site. Instead why not donate them to your local charity shop or the children's ward of your local hospital. If you want to swap them for something you really want, there are some good websites that can help you give away things for free, and find things you that want. Try Freecycle.

BAN CARRIER BAGS

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

The plastic in most carrier bags does not biodegrade, so it can take around 100 years to break down. Recycle Now told us that every year 100,000 tonnes of plastic bags are thrown away; amazingly that's the same weight as 70,000 cars! If you've got supermarket carrier bags at home, take them back to the shop they came from - they should know how to recycle them. Better still, stop using them altogether and buy reusable shopping bags. There are some great reusable shopping bags in the shops. Why not think about giving them to people in your family as Christmas presents?

SAVE ELECTRICITY

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

Make sure you don't leave things like the TV and DVD player on standby because they're still using up to 85% of the energy they would if they were switched on. Grown-ups aren't very good at remembering to turn lights off - so remind them! When light bulbs need changing encourage your parents to change them for energy-efficient bulbs. They're more expensive but will last 10 times as long as normal bulbs and use four times less energy. And remember; always turn things off when you leave the room, if there's no one there there's no reason for the TV/lights/music/ to be on!

MAKE COMPOST

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

Around 30% of the rubbish from our homes can be put onto a compost heap, instead of in the bin. Compost is just broken-down, rotted organic matter. You can put in anything that was once alive (apart from meat and animal products), so egg shells, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, apple cores, tea bags and lots more.
Once it's rotted into compost you can use it to feed your garden. You can either buy a compost bin from a garden centre or make your own. All you need is a big plastic tub with a lid. Add scrunched-up newspaper every now and then to allow some air to circulate, and place the bin somewhere warm and sunny.
Once your compost bin is up-and-running you'll never need to throw teabags or vegetable peelings in the bin again and you'll have reduced family's rubbish by 30%. If you have a place for compost-able rubbish in your kitchen, make it your job to empty it into the compost bin once a day.

USE LESS WATER

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

We all waste lots of water, but it's easy to learn how to save it. Have a shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower uses around a third of the water that it would take to fill a bath. Don't leave the tap running while you're brushing your teeth because it can waste a massive five litres of water per minute!
Using a dishwasher when it's not completely full wastes water too. Ask your parents if you can make loading the dishwasher your job. That way you can make sure it's completely full. If you use a paddling pool or water toys in the summer, don't just empty it down the drain. Instead, why not use the water to give your garden a drink.

DON'T WAST PAPER

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

It's easy to use lots of paper, especially if you love drawing and writing. Try and think of ways to use less, while still being creative. Use every piece of paper on both sides. Try drawing and writing on paper that would otherwise be thrown away. If your parents work in an office they may be able to bring home paper that has got printing on one side. And remember, if you're using a computer think before you print, don't print out anything unless you really need to.

WALK TO SCHOOL

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

We all know that cars are bad for the environment. So walking is a much better idea - it's good for the planet and good for you. If you're too young to walk to school by yourself find out if your school has a 'walking bus' scheme.
A walking bus is where lots of children walk to school together, stopping and picking-up other children along the way. Walking buses are run by trained adults who walk at the front and the back making sure everyone is safe. Usually anyone on the walking bus will wear bright or reflective clothing to make sure they can be seen.
If your school hasn't got a walking bus yet - suggest one. Have a look at this website about schools in Hertfordshire who have walking buses for some ideas.

USE RE-CHARGEABLE BATTERIES

Helping the environment isn't just for grown-ups. We can all help and there are loads of easy ways that we can do our bit.

How many of your toys have batteries in them? For most children it's lots! Batteries have chemicals such as mercury in them, and when they're put into landfill rubbish dumps the chemicals often leak out and can eventually end up in our water.
The next time you need new batteries, ask your parents to buy re-chargeable ones. They come with a re-charger unit which you plug into an electricity socket for about eight hours, and then your batteries are as good as new. They cost a bit more than normal batteries, but they'll last you around 1000 times as long!